Can I complain if I was dismissed during a 90-day trial period?
Usually you cannot raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal during a valid trial period. But you can still raise one if your employer did not give the notice in your agreement, or you started work before signing. You also can if you had no chance to get advice before signing, or the agreement had no trial period. Most personal grievances must be raised within 90 days. Call Employment New Zealand on 0800 20 90 20 for help.
Official figures
- Adult minimum wage
- NZ$23.95 an hour (before tax), or NZ$958 for a 40-hour week; applies from 1 April 20261
- Starting-out and training minimum wage
- NZ$19.16 an hour (before tax), or NZ$766.40 for a 40-hour week1
- Who can be paid the starting-out wage
- Workers aged 16 or 17 who have worked for their current employer for less than 6 months in a row; or workers aged 16 to 19 whose employment agreement requires them to complete at least 40 credits of industry training a year; or workers aged 18 or 19 who have received a specified benefit for 6 months or more in a row (and have not worked for the same employer for 6 months in a row since starting the benefit)1
- Who can be paid the training wage
- Workers aged 20 or over whose employment agreement requires them to complete at least 60 credits of industry training a year (usually apprentices)1
- Who is not covered by the minimum wage
- There is no minimum wage for workers under 16. There are also a few other exceptions, such as prisoners and disabled workers with an exemption permit1
Official sources
- Minimum wage rates and typesEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
- Creating an employment agreementEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
- Trial periodsEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
- Record-keepingEmployment New Zealand (MBIE) · employment.govt.nz
Read the full guide: Minimum wage and employment agreements →
People also ask
- What is the minimum wage in New Zealand right now?
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- I'm on an AEWV work visa. Can my employer give me a 90-day trial period?
- My employer doesn't give me payslips. How can I check my hours and pay records?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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